It is claimed that in 2009 he passed on information linked to one shoplifting case and another involving a witness to domestic violence.

Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said: "We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Alan Tierney, a former police constable with Surrey Police, should be charged with two offences of committing misconduct in public office.

"It is alleged that in 2009 Mr Tierney provided information to The Sun newspaper on two occasions in breach of the terms of his employment with Surrey Police and was paid £1,750.

"The first charge relates to an allegation that Mr Tierney provided details to the newspaper about a shoplifting incident in which he was the arresting officer.

"The second charge relates to an occasion on which Mr Tierney took a statement from a witness to a domestic violence incident. It is alleged that Mr Tierney passed the witness's name, address and details of the incident to the newspaper.

"Both of these incidents were linked to high-profile people."

Tierney will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on a date to be fixed.

Levitt said prosecutors also considered information relating to a member of the public and concluded there was insufficient evidence to take further action.

The first charge faced by Tierney alleges that he "between March 26 and April 3, 2009, whilst acting as a public officer, namely a constable of Surrey Police, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself".